Harper's Ferry Battleground, May 31, 2017

We spent a few hours touring the Harpers Ferry Battlefield.  The Park provided free bus shuttle from the parking to two points of the battle. 

A model of the park in the welcome center.

The first place was Bolivar Heights where the Confederates and the Union armies fought. 

One of the streets in old town Harper's Ferry with many building from the 1800's

We had lunch at the Coffee Mill; good eats 

Henry stands in front of the Merriweather Lewis at Harper's Ferry building. It was closed. 

This stone marker is where the original armory building stood that John Brown captured,

This nest was atop a foot bridge 

Overlooking the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers

This was a Dry Goods Store for items to buy

May 26-30 2017, IN, NC, SC

We met our friend Laura Shaffer from IBC years ago in Indiana. 

These ugly windmills are all over the plains states.

We saw a fireworks display in Kentucky---first one in years. 

Henry helped Stephen start to repair this spot on his house that was eaten by ants.  They took out the rotted boards and swept out the mess before the rain started.  Then they put a piece of plywood over it and Steve will have to finish it later. 

We met up with another family from IBC, Judy and Kent Gerber in North Carolina.  Their grand daughter is the daughter of our flower girl, Tovah, back in 1983.  Tera is now 13 and has five sisters. 

First Pony Express Station

 This was a quick stop.  The original Pony Express building is located in a nice park; it is free. Basically it has some signs describing what the Pony Express did.  The small building is a souvenir store with artifacts from the 1850's.  The lady on duty was very knowledgeable on the subject.   There is also a museum of history that we did not have time to see.

 

Some of the artifacts

Pony Express Riders

This table top was made of US pennies.   The new, shiny ones spell out Pony Express

The Cody Museum Wild Bill Hickock

Wild Bill Hickock free museum in North Platte.

This is part of the souvenir shop which is basically a tourist trap.  Lots of things to see and buy for any age group

Out in the enclosed yard was a Jail in which we see Peter and Jewel trying to get out.

This big Indian stands in the middle

Peter and Jewel riding horses

Golden Spike Tower, North Platte, NE

We visited the Golden Spike Tower in the Bailey Yard, the world's largest railroad classification yard.  It is 8 miles long and about a mile wide.  Thousands of trains come through here; many come from coal country in Wyoming. 

The view from the 7th floor enclosed lookout.  It is an amazing sight to see.

One of the exhibits

A sample of  a service for one in the dining car.  Notice no glass or plastic, just linen, glass and ceramic.   A dining car had 14 employees, serving some 400 meals daily.  

Graduation at Great Plains Baptist College

David and Buddy Reeves with Shawn Tyson at the reception. David graduated with a 4 year degree

Pastor Reeves and Buddy showing off their socks; Hope Reeves is in the background.

Henry and I with Pastor and Mrs. Tyson 

Four of my now-adult children were there and pitched in to help decorate and clean up.  It's good to see them volunteer to do what is needed.  Above is Sara in blue 

Teresa manned the vacuum in the auditorium

Peter, who is on staff at the church, put up streamers along with big brother Matthew holding the other end. 

I gave Hope Reeves one of the crocheted crosses that Mrs. Matsunaga from our Japanese church made.  

May 21, 2017 Announcing..

Peter and Jewel made the announcement this evening.  We were at the college graduation of his wife, Jewel, from Great Plains Baptist College.  At the reception, the four graduates opened their gifts.  Then at the end, Jewel had a gift for Henry and me and another for her parents.  Inside the box  was this announcement.  Jewel is due in January 2018.  We are all excited...three grandkids in six months!😃